Fehling Test

What is Fehling’s test?

One of the most popular tests used for the estimation or detection of reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars is the Fehling’s test. The test developed by German chemist H.C. Von Fehling is also used to differentiate between ketone functional groups and water-soluble carbohydrates.

Table of Contents

• • Fehling’s Solution
  • Procedure
  • Reactions of Fehling’s test
  • Common Use of Fehling’s test

Fehling’s Solution

Fehling’s test consists of a solution that is usually prepared fresh in laboratories. Initially, the solution exists in the form of two separate solutions which are labelled as Fehling’s A and Fehling’s B. Fehling’s A is a solution containing copper(II) sulphate, which is blue. Fehling’s B is a clear liquid consisting of potassium sodium tartrate (Rochelle salt) and a strong alkali, usually sodium hydroxide. During the test solutions A and B are prepared individually and stored.

The two solutions are later mixed in equal volumes to get the final Fehling solution which is deep blue. The deep blue ingredient is the bis(tartrate) complex of Cu²⁺. The tartrate tetra-anions serve as a chelating agent in the solution.

Procedure

The procedure can be conducted as follows;

• • • • Add the sample in a dry test tube.
      • Distilled water should be kept in another tube as control.
      • Fehling’s solution is to be added in the tubes.
      • The tubes must be kept in water bath.
      • Make observations and record if there is any development of red precipitate.

Notably, the result is positive if there is a formation of reddish brown precipitate while the result is negative if there is no indication of such change.

Precaution: Fehling’s solution is mostly corrosive in nature. Therefore, it is always good to wear protective gear like goggles and gloves.

Reactions of Fehling’s Test

In Fehling’s solution the reaction between copper(II) ions and aldehyde is represented as;

RCHO + 2 Cu²⁺ + 5 OH⁻ → RCOO⁻ + Cu₂O + 3 H₂O

When tartrate is added:

RCHO + 2 Cu(C₄H₄O₆)₂²⁻ + 5 OH⁻ → RCOO⁻ + Cu₂O + 4 C₄H₄O₆²⁻ + 3 H₂O

Common Uses of Fehling’s Test

Some common uses of Fehling’s test are; it is used to determine whether a carbonyl group is an aldehyde or a ketone. Aldehydes tend to get oxidized and give positive result. Ketones apart from alpha-hydroxy-ketones do not react.

Fehling’s test is also used as a general test for monosaccharides where a positive result is obtained for aldose monosaccharides and ketose monosaccharides. Apart from these, Fehling’s test is used in the medical field to determine the presence of glucose in urine. It helps to know whether the person is diabetic or not.